South Fulton politicos making a bad situation worse
Years of acrimony and in some cases outright animosity between north and south Fulton County have already forced a redrawing of the map of Georgia.
A handful of new cities — Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek — have been incorporated in the last few years largely because north Fulton citizens wanted to snip ties with Fulton County government in Atlanta.
Now, encouraged by that success, they want to make the separation complete by cutting Fulton County in half and creating a brand new Milton County in the northern section. And because the issue involves the unholy trinity of race, class and partisan politics, it has sometimes brought out the worst in people.
South Fulton, which is largely black, mostly Democratic and less affluent, holds the balance of power because of its larger population base. North Fulton, by contrast, is largely white, prosperous and Republican. Almost every important issue to come before county leaders is filtered through those two perspectives, with each side feeling itself ill-used by the other.
Personally, I think the drive to create Milton County is foolish and in some ways vindictive. We’ve already got 159 counties, more than any state other than Texas. And with the multitude of counties and cities in metro Atlanta, the region is already paralyzed in trying to deal with issues that cross legal boundaries.
However, the frustration of north Fulton residents is also understandable. Because south Fulton basically controls county government, the majority on the County Commission has tended to dismiss even legitimate concerns of north Fulton voters and leaders. North Fulton leaders complain that they are treated by south Fulton as captive taxpayers, and too often they’re right.
The often petty, even self-destructive nature of the feuding between the two communities is on view in the current controversy involving Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley, who represents north Fulton.
Riley also serves as chairman of a legislative advisory committee created to study the feasibility of Milton County.
To some in south Fulton, that’s a conflict of interest bordering on treason. Six south Fulton legislators have filed a complaint with the county ethics board, demanding an investigation and calling for Riley to resign. Bill Edwards, a south Fulton commissioner, went so far as to complain that “it’s like having a terrorist in Congress.”
That’s nonsense. Edwards may not like it, but Riley’s involvement in the Milton County effort accurately reflects the opinions and wishes of her constituents. It is an abuse of the county ethics process to try to use it to silence Riley on a political matter.
In fact, it’s hard to understand what Edwards and his supporters are trying to accomplish. Is their action likely to make north Fulton feel more like part of the county or more intent on going its own way? Does it build a bridge or burn a bridge? In every way I can think of, the ethics charge further poisons the atmosphere and adds to the fervor behind creation of Milton County.
Even if Riley were to resign from office, the person who replaced her would be even more committed to a permanent break with Fulton County. If Edwards and other south Fulton leaders want to preserve a unified Fulton County, as they should, they need a better battle plan than dismissing their neighbors’ anger as illegitimate. They’ve been trying that strategy for the last 10 to 15 years, and it’s a loser.
So far, Riley is refusing to cooperate with an ethics board investigation. That has led ethics board chairman Don Edwards (no relation to the commissioner) to talk of seeking a subpoena if necessary to compel her to testify.
“We have an obligation to determine whether there is a violation,” Edwards said last week.
However, compelling the testimony of an elected official about legitimate political activity is a bad idea, and if carried out it is guaranteed to drive the wedge between north and south Fulton still deeper.
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89 comments Add your comment
Finn McCool
August 25th, 2009
11:42 am
North Fulton should break off and create a new county…call it McCool County!
Truth
August 25th, 2009
11:43 am
Actually a pretty good read, Jay.
stands for decibels
August 25th, 2009
11:48 am
North Fulton should break off and create a new county…call it Ingrate Whites County!
Fried yonder tomato.
TnGelding
August 25th, 2009
11:49 am
Let them have what they want. Then they won’t have any excuses. Let Fulton sink or swim on its own. It’s the logical thing to do.
Finn McCool
August 25th, 2009
11:52 am
The southern end should rename it Obama County
ahhhhh! wingnuts would blow gaskets across the land.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
August 25th, 2009
11:54 am
Yeah and let’s cut the US in half too.
Cast off Moonbattica into the fever swamp where it belongs.
Finn McCool
August 25th, 2009
11:57 am
Those wingnuts who get tired of MLK this and MLK that? hehehehe
Guess what name your going to see on everything for the rest of your lives?
rub it in, rub salt in those wounds…
Doggone/GA
August 25th, 2009
11:59 am
Here’s the questions that occur to me: Would the vote to split have to be voted on by the whole county? If it would, and South Fulton has a larger voter base, how does North Fulton expect to win that vote?
Georgia 1st
August 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
Bookman, I live in south Fulton (old Campbell county). I think you and most people get it mixed up. Atlanta is NOT south Fulton. Most of this county is NOT south Fulton. South Fulton only has two Marta bus routes, 2 Marta stations (consider that we can’t use the Airport station), only one hospital and those of us in Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto and Chatt Hills must go to neighboring counties because our hospital is farther away and our doctors prefer not to use the South Fulton Medical Center…I wish those up north would check out the services in College Park, Union City, East Point and Palmetto. They would see that south Fulton is not much different from North Fulton.
Public Option or No Bill
August 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
The Ethics Board in Georgia is the most toothless joke on planet earth.
Normal
August 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
I lived in East Point back in the 70s…Liked it, too…But now I’d rather live in h-ll than live in Fulton county, north or south.
pat
August 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
Let there be a Milton county and let Fulton step up and make itself successful or sink.
The south only wants the north because the north is footing the bill for the south. As long as the north supports the south, there will be no need for the south to clean up it’s act and become prosperous. Let the south do for them seleve with out the crutch of the north. Everybody will be better for it.
Public Option or No Bill
August 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
I think what Georgia first is distinguishing is South Atlanta from what she or he correctly defines as South Fulton.
RealityKing
August 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
Acrimony, animosity, the unholy trinity of race, class and partisan politics, foolishness, vindictive and paralyzing. All this in one little county seat. And yet some still dubiously believe that the federal government is different, capable of controlling American’s healthcare cost while offering the same quality as private enterprises. Even though it has yet to do so in any other format.
USinUK
August 25th, 2009
12:05 pm
Mrs. G –
I returned from a meeting to your Wonder Blunder comment and promptly spit tea all over my screen … I bow to your brilliance!
ABM –
“You’d also have to consider removing Jus Soli from the Constitution too. Many of them come here just to have children so their kids will be Americans.”
I have absolutely no problem with that – not all countries currently have it (the one I currently reside in doesn’t – and, frankly, most of the Brits I know are shocked that America does) …
http://askville.amazon.com/United-States-countries-offer-citizenship-birth-aka-birthright/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=7563352
heck, I’d even be happy with a modified jus soli – (say, the parents have to prove residency some particular length of time, if not citizenship)
AmVet
August 25th, 2009
12:05 pm
“Yeah and let’s cut the US in half too.”
So The New Confederated States of America could be borrow brazillions of dollars, never to be repaid and become yet another massive burden on the World Monetary Fund?
OK…
Public Option or No Bill
August 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
“South” would include Atlanta South of Buckhead up to South Fulton I suppose. There has been a lot of talk of Buckhead forming its own separate government for years for a lot of the same reasons Jay outlined with North Fulton.
USinUK
August 25th, 2009
12:08 pm
“Cast off Moonbattica into the fever swamp where it belongs”
hahaha … considering that the majority if “moonbattica” are net producers of tax revenue and that “wingnutteria” are net recipients of tax revenue, that would work JUST FINE with most bluestaters if you guys wanted to ride off into the sunset … more $$$ for them.
demwit
August 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
Fulton county should just hold a referendum.., without checking voter ids of course.
Hef
August 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
Ga 1st- I live just a rocks throw from the airport(west).Moved there a year ago(thought I got a steal on a home), are you kidding “not much different”? Moved from Cumming area and I’m still looking for an improvement in any area! I put my home on the market in may-movin back north.
stands for decibels
August 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
hahaha … considering that the majority if “moonbattica” are net producers of tax revenue and that “wingnutteria” are net recipients of tax revenue, that would work JUST FINE with most bluestaters if you guys wanted to ride off into the sunset … more $$$ for them.
I’ve been through this with Whiner before. You’re discounting the value of the stuff those liberals keep God-fearin’ folk from minin’ and harvestin’ and drillin’.
You add the re institutionalization of slavery into the mix, and who knows what the Libertarian States of JeebusLand could bring to the party.
Disgusted
August 25th, 2009
12:24 pm
As a resident of north Fulton, I’ve seen only an increase in my taxes as a result of the urbanization of the county. What little has been reduced in county taxes has been eaten up and then some by city taxes. The Fulton County Commission is a shell as it is. Almost all the county consists of cities with their own governments.
I’ve watched many county commission meetings on cable TV. It’s like watching various animals in a zoo converge. There’s no cohesiveness there. Everybody has a little agenda, from Emma Darnell and Edwards on one side to Tom Lowe looking out for the realtors and the developers and Riley touting all things Republican. In fact, we already have two counties. Even the property tax rates differ, depending on whether it’s south Fulton or north Fulton.
To quote loosely the Godfather in Puzo’s novel, how did we get to this pass? The main problem arose because of zoning decisions made years ago, decisions in which north Fulton residents felt disadvantaged by the preponderance of south Fulton commission members. Anybody who says the split was about taxes is simply misinformed. No person in the cities of Johns Creek or Sandy Springs or Roswell can now claim to be paying lower taxes than he/she paid before. It’s all about local control, not taxes. Race and political party affiliation are only the backdrop for the real issue.
So go ahead and create Milton County. That won’t solve any of the problems, but it might make some north Fulton residents feel better. The problems will remain.
Take it Up the Backside
August 25th, 2009
12:25 pm
JB wrote “creating a brand new Milton County in the northern section”
Sorry Jay, I would not consider Milton a ‘brand new county” seeing as at one time it was there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_County,_Georgia
“Milton County was a county of the U.S. state of Georgia from 1857 to 1931. It was created on 18 December 1857 from parts of northeastern Cobb, southeastern Cherokee, and southwestern Forsyth counties. Alpharetta was the county seat until the end of 1931, when Milton was merged with Fulton County to save it from bankruptcy during the Great Depression.[1] At that time, Campbell County, which had already gone bankrupt, was also ceded to Fulton, giving it its 70-mile (110 km) long irregular shape along the Chattahoochee River.”
AmVet
August 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
USinUK, the more I think about The New Confederate States of America, the more I like it.
And think of the joy they would have!
NO taxes!
NO government telling them what to do!
God and guns on every corner!
Conservative Arts “degrees”!
One “Big Tent” revival where there would be none of Them People, no uppity wimmen and no Mexicalis or Mooslims. OK, a few token Jews…
But without the liberals, progressives, independents, Greens, etc… they would have a veritable Utopian society!
Praise the Lord!
Brad Steel
August 25th, 2009
12:36 pm
Well if they split it up at least you’d think they could spend some time doing something for their constituents rather than just fighting between the two groups.
An ethics probe – what a complete waste of time and energy. drop it and do something worthwhile.
DeKalb Conservative
August 25th, 2009
12:39 pm
Any chance norther DeKalb could get in on this too?
In all seriousness, I was looking at purchasing my first home within the last year. I looked at many places in Fulton and DeKalb country. With taxes almost double in Fulton, for a smaller home and the prospect that taxes would go higher (they did) and crime would continue to rise (it did), we choose DeKalb.
An earlier responder commented there wasn’t alot of MARTA access in South Fulton–I think not having alot of MARTA access in North Fulton would be something the residents of that area would actually embrace.
Zell
August 25th, 2009
12:40 pm
They should settle things the old-fashion way, with a duel.
Normal
August 25th, 2009
12:40 pm
Geez, AmVet…I don’t think I’d look good in butternut…just visualizin’
Sherman V. Lee
August 25th, 2009
12:41 pm
I think they should square off with cannons across the Chattahoochee.
Zip
August 25th, 2009
12:45 pm
This just mirrors what is happening in the rest of our country right now. Those in power want to soak the rich to pay for their vote buying schemes. I’m by now means rich but I am certainly tired of politicians taking my hard earned money and spending it on special interest groups. Thankfully, the country is starting to wake up.
Taxpayer
August 25th, 2009
12:45 pm
I heard that folks up in Milton started complaining about city taxes and government before they even got the ink dried on their new city paperwork. Let ‘em whine, or move, or convince enough like-minded folks to move in and change the balance of power.
Take it Up the Backside
August 25th, 2009
12:47 pm
Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel ” pick up your shovel, mount your a$$es and camels, and I will lead you to the promised land “.
Nearly 75 years ago, Roosevelt ( FDR ) said, ” Lay down your shovels, sit on your a$$es, and light up a camel; this is the promised land”.
Now Obama has stolen your shovel , taxed your a$$es, raised the price of camels, and mortgaged the promised land.
God help us.
getalife
August 25th, 2009
12:52 pm
Obama destroyed Fulton County.
Bosch
August 25th, 2009
12:55 pm
AmVet,
A while back, I was messin’ around with Dave R – whom I am actually convinced thought I was for real on his side – it was during all the secession non-sense – anyway he was convinced that a country very similar to what you just described would be the ideal – how nothing would ever go wrong in his conservative Wunderland.
Bosch
August 25th, 2009
12:58 pm
Oh and AmVet,
It’s not “Praise the Lord” it’s “So say we all.”
Matilda
August 25th, 2009
1:00 pm
AmVet (12:26), you forgot va-jay-jay trees growing wild everywhere! haha!
As a North Fulton homeowner, I would vote to remain part of Fulton County. I live in a modest subdivision surrounded by the uber-privileged, and as a parent, interact with these folks regularly. Yes, this IS about class to them. (Not race so much as money, from what I’ve seen.) I don’t think most of these people have a grasp on the reality of the world beyond their finely-landscaped bubble, and I’m not comfortable putting even MORE of them in power. (Not that I don’t LOVE my Congressman.. okay, so I don’t.) I have no complaints about my county-provided services, my water is clean, the libraries are open, and our schools are terrific. These separationists just LOOOOOVE to whine and moan about what “those people” are doing, but I don’t see their cushy lifestyles suffering at all, unless you think finding expensive merchandise on sale due to recessionary discounts is suffering.
Doggone/GA
August 25th, 2009
1:03 pm
“Obama destroyed Fulton County.”
And it only took him 8 months to do it. What a MAN!
Joey
August 25th, 2009
1:03 pm
Some things that I have wondered about for years, but never pursued mostly because I was born, raised and live in Gwinnett:
How many Fulton County Commissioners live within the City of Atlanta?
Is the City of Atlanta perhaps over represented in the Commission?
Is the South Fulton problem really a middle Fulton problem?
FrankLeeDarling
August 25th, 2009
1:06 pm
Jay,will any of this allow metro Atlanta to keep more of the tax revenue it generates.
Normal
August 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Fulton County have the highest tax rate of all other Georgia Counties, and doesn’t most of that tax go to the City of Atlanta?
AmVet
August 25th, 2009
1:09 pm
“So say we all”.
I like it, Bosch. Sounds kinda O’Reillyish.
I could of course, make up a similar scenario for the libs, but hey, it’s not MY job to be the surrogate humorist for the comedically challenged and wildly witless neo-conned…
On topic now, one of the greatest and I believe somewhat unique challenges facing Atlanta is the amazing amount of hyper-parochialism here.
Cross the river into Cobb and you can almost feel it.
Yes, we all pretend that we’re one big community in some respects, but given the history of trying to keep Those People out of the northwestern suburbs especially, is there any wonder that so little of import actually gets done around here?
This unplanned, sprawling metropolitan area, which has always had an inferiority complex, seems to be experiencing the polar opposite of the revitalized Rust Belt cities.
And it is truly a shame, as it is the very epicenter of civil rights and there is so much more it could become…
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
August 25th, 2009
1:13 pm
The City of Atlanta, despite having the highest tax rates in most of the entire United States, is a federal tax receiving basket case.
Just look at Cobb County, a demographic mirror image of North Fulton with a lower average per capita income, we got a triple AAA bond rating and a balanced budget.
Why do you think the lib whines? How will Atlanta ever survive with no one left to tax?
Kamchak
August 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
Normal
Your 10:03 downstairs on a possible potato chip shortage–brilliant. Just sayin’
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
August 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
Obama Weekly Approval Average Now 52%, a New Low, Approval among seniors, upper-income Americans has fallen below 50%
Ride those coat tails, dimocrats.
Neal Horsley
August 25th, 2009
1:18 pm
Moses said to the children of Israel ” pick up your shovel, mount your a$$es and camels
And mount them I did!
Matilda
August 25th, 2009
1:20 pm
Normal, it’s our proximity to the City of Atlanta, for all it’s flaws, that hold our property values up and make the suburbs tolerable. Well, to an extent. As long as we take time to get into town now and again to dine at a restaurant that’s not a chain, or take in a show that’s not mainstream Hollywood puke, see a real-live big-league ballgame, or to enjoy the eclectic vibrance of a festival or parade.
No one has offered me anything convincing as to why I should vote for the creation of a new Milton County. Zip. Notta. Whining about their *boo hoo* tax burden doesn’t count. I pay taxes too; why do they think they’re the only ones? Geez.
Georgia 1st
August 25th, 2009
1:49 pm
Hef – I was attempting to say that “south” Fulton doesn’t seem to get any of North Fulton’s money since our services aren’t the most outstanding. However, most of those things that I complain about don’t come from the Fulton county comission but other agencies set up by this fine state legislature.
FYi, only one comissioner on the board lives in south Fulton and that’s Bill Edwards. Emma Darnell lives in the city of atlanta but closer to the Cascade area.
We need to stick w/ facts.
RollerGirl
August 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
It’s not about race except to those racist blacks on the fulton commission and the “gimme” crowd that elect them. There are plenty of professional blacks, latinos, asians, Indians in north fulton who are sick and tired of footing the bill for the “Grady lifestyle”.
According to liberals, the entire damn world should revolve around the poor..well, heres a clue..it doesn’t!
Georgia 1st
August 25th, 2009
1:52 pm
RollerGirl…apparently you don’t watch the commission meeting. I do and I haven’t heard anything racist. You will always hear comissioner darnell and boxill standing up for children, seniors and the poor regardless of race or class.
RollerGirl
August 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
And while I’m at it..Gov. Patterson of NY..you are despised NOT because you are black, and NOT because you are blind. You are despised, even in your own party, because you are the single most INEPT politician on the planet.
Dusty
August 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
I like the last blog better than this one (Who cares about Fulton County??)
Paul beats USinUK by 15 points.
Bosch hates Bush so tree falls on his house.
Normal eats potato chips while wearing his lederhosen.
Obama bets Bush he can raise a bigger debt and he won! 15 trillion!!!
Mz Godzie cures the “sagging” up front problem.
Obama nearly lost the fight with Panetta until Michelle stepped in. (Better muscles.)
AmVet can’t remember whether he’s lib or Repub so now he’s a Jehovah Witness.
Angry Black Man says those babes are citizens as long as he is @#*&%$#^ mama in charge. (I never disagree with you ABM. NO SIR!).
See, I told you. The last blog was better. Right, getalife? You’re still smoking your meds, aren’t you?
Georgia 1st
August 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
Matilda..you hit the hammer on the nail. Instead of creating another county, they should be asking the same legislators to give fulton county state assistance for Marta and Grady…maybe that will help but they better realize that Milton would havfe to pay for grady and marta too but they already service those areas..
Also, the entire state would have to vote to change the constitution to allow more than 159 counties. Please go explain to my family in Brantley and Miller county why they need to vote to create another county. Then the citizens of the county would have to vote for this which won’t happen either.
DeKalb Conservative
August 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
@ Matilda
While I agree the majority of these entries haven’t offered a compelling reason to create, or recreate Milton County, whining about tax burden does count, heck our country was founded on disputing taxation without representation.
A historical belief is that once people realize they can vote themselves free things then the process of democracy becomes flawed. While we’re not exactly talking apples-to-apples, the notion that North Fulton feels like they are a tax hostage without enough representation because of population breakdown is significant.
DeKalb Conservative
August 25th, 2009
2:11 pm
@ Georgia 1st
The solution of proposing giving state assistance for MARTA and Grady is actually at the heart of this problem. Does the benefit of MARTA and Grady as they are currently run outweigh the costs? MARTA has yet to cease a Sunday schedule due to costs and Grady is essentially a combination dumping ground of patients, while acting as a state of the art institute for several areas. Its state of the art trauma unit and select other groups are the only reason it can front itself as a dumping ground.
In terms of voting to allow more than 159 counties, is it fair to stipulate that the area couldn’t be joined to an already existing county? This would keep the balance of 159 counties.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
August 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
Well, I’m sorry to be getting here late but I was over at Jeff Schultz’s blog laughing about all the people blasting this Mike Vick for getting caught drinking while on probation. I was kind of sorry to see them make so much fun of Lou Holtz for saying Notre Dame would be the national champion, seeing as how he talks like us rednecks and is about as crazy as us too.
Anyhow, Fulton County is what happens when Those People take over. When they take over a place they want to run it their way and it makes good White people in the county feel like, well, Those People. We don’t have that kind of problem up here in Forsyth County. We got a few of Those People but not enough to worry anybody. Mostly we got the rich snobs that live down in the southeast part of the county with their fancy golf courses and big mansions, and then we got us rednecks that run the rest of the county.
So I think just splitting off into Milton County and Fulton County would take care of most of the problems. The folks that would be in Milton County are whiter than a KKK rally sheet and rich too. Now how they would get the whole state to vote for the split and then get Those People in Atlanta and south Fulton to vote for it is their problem, not mine. Us people up here in Forsyth could sure use a good laugh, so I reckon we can look forward to the ruckus.
Have a good p.m. everybody.
Bosch
August 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
Hi Dusty!
Is THAT why a tree fell on my house? I thought I’d pissed off God somehow. OMG – is God pissed at me BECAUSE I hate Bush? Oh this is terrible.
Georgia 1st
August 25th, 2009
2:22 pm
Dekalb Conservative – The reason the state needs to help with paying for Marta and Grady is because other counties benefit from both and nobody pay into the system other than Fulton and Dekalb county. Let me point out that like North Fulton, south fulton residents don’t live anywhere near Grady to utilize it as their primary hospital if something happen other than TRAUMA.
Matilda
August 25th, 2009
2:28 pm
Georgia1st, so true! Creating another county and walling ourselves off won’t fix anything. Grady takes trauma victims from counties all over the state. (They don’t complain when it’s their loved one being saved!) MARTA is the ONLY transit system of its kind that receives no state funding, because the non-Atlanta Georgians blame us for all their problems, and would rather die in a ditch than see a dime go to moving people around Atlanta. Never mind the economic advantages generated in a city with an actual functioning transit system, or that the bulk of Georgia’s tax revenue comes from having the citi-fied commerce they despise. BTW, I think ALL the schools should be great, no matter what neighborhood they serve. If we could all work toward that one goal, so many things would turn around for the better!
DeKalb Conservative
August 25th, 2009
2:53 pm
@ Georgia 1st
I’m not as versed on the topic as you, but aside from public outrage, what is stopping MARTA from discontinuing service to counties that do not contribute to MARTA?
I suppose the underlying question would be why is MARTA having service in places that it can not break even. There is a difference being a nonprofit and a company that deliberately runs itself at a lose.
Public Option or No Bill
August 25th, 2009
3:49 pm
http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/drink/trink12.gif
Matilda
August 25th, 2009
3:57 pm
Dekalb Conservative, may I? (If anyone is still reading this.) ALL such transit systems receive state funds, because the advantages created by well-run transit benefit the entire region. MARTA is the exception. Transit is one of the foundations of a more prosperous community, not a capitalist opportunity in and of itself. It’s the mindset that nothing should exist unless it’s a potential cash cow is what keeps us in perpetual back-azz-ward-ness.
DeKalb Conservative
August 25th, 2009
4:29 pm
@ Matilda
Thanks for explaining this. I went for a ride this weekend because the weather was so nice and was amazed once I got past downtown Stone Mountain by a few miles that there were still MARTA signs for bus stops.
Bob
August 25th, 2009
5:47 pm
Matilda, funny, uber – privaleged, at least you admit to your class envy, most don’t do that.
Jonathan5052
August 26th, 2009
2:50 am
From DeKalb Conservative:
“I’m not as versed on the topic as you, but aside from public outrage, what is stopping MARTA from discontinuing service to counties that do not contribute to MARTA?”
“I suppose the underlying question would be why is MARTA having service in places that it can not break even. There is a difference being a nonprofit and a company that deliberately runs itself at a lose.”
If the federal government would allow mass transit, especially rail, to be subsidized in same way airports and highways receive federal funds for construction projects, I believe that we would not see the same kinds of discrepancies in “breaking even” that so many seem to talk about these days. Perhaps one of the reasons why MARTA provides service to “counties that do not contribute” is because public transportation is a necessity, not a commodity. Many people don’t own their own 4 wheels, so mass transit should fill that gap. The United States is one of few countries that have yet to recognize that public transportation should be convenient and available to all of its citizens every day of the week. Which explains the success of rail transit systems in Europe, Japan, and other countries not as affected by the “private-car syndrome.” But we are beginning to make some progress, and it’s always better to be late than never. North Fulton and other MARTA-resistant areas would benefit greatly from expanded public rail and bus routes into their communities, not to mention less drivers on the roads and lower levels of air pollution and road rage as a result.
Matilda
August 26th, 2009
12:30 pm
Jonathan, MARTA runs through N. Fulton. Cobb and Gwinnett still resist.
Batboy
August 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
Emma Darnell and Bill Edwards are racists. While incredibly disruptive in the short term, Atlanta and Fulton county would be far better off in the long term if we spoke truth about the racists in control of Fulton County. Perhaps then we would be able to find middle ground rather than these two who only profit from division.
Alex
September 3rd, 2009
1:21 pm
North Fulton – Safe
South Fulton – Dangerous
North Fulton – Rich
South Fulton – Pool
North Fulton – Good schools
South Fulton – Terrbile schools
North Fulton – Low crime
South Fulton – Daily Murders
North Fulton – Educated, white coller workers.
South Fulton – THUGS!
North Fulton needs to be on its own for sure!
Alex
September 3rd, 2009
1:21 pm
Poor, not pool.
TW
September 3rd, 2009
1:23 pm
Being that we’re gonna secede when Oxendine wins, ain’t this irrelevant?
The Elected One
September 3rd, 2009
1:55 pm
I find it interesting how Milton was merged with Fulton County to save it from bankruptcy during the Great Depression and now that the North Fulton area is full of “well-off” citizens they want to break away. The compliant for years was the northside was paying to cover the southside expenses. Funny how the southside saved their a** from bankruptcy. They are basically biting the hand that feed them. Creating Milton County would create one of the wealthiest counties in the country. The northside has new schools that look like Georgia Tech, while the southside is just getting new schools.
This is not about Fulton County, as unfortunate as it may be this is still about race, money and power.
cobbian
September 3rd, 2009
1:59 pm
I worked with Bill Edwards and Emma Darnell as a consultant. Emma, is insanely politically crafty. She’ll back you into a corner before you even realize it in a debate. Edwards, he’s dumber than a box of rocks, nice man but not very bright.
The fact that both Buckhead and this new county idea is not farther along than it is is surprising. The people at the county were expecting it years ago and planning for it too with budgets and what not, sat in on a few of those meetings.
Also St. Louis is a good example of what will happen if Buckhead breaks away from the City and North Fulton from Fulton. Downtown ATL will be a shell of a city and no one will feel safe to walk let alone work downtown.
cobbian
September 3rd, 2009
2:02 pm
Oh and by my name, you can guess where I live. I’m new to ATL, and once I saw the tax differential between a house in Fulton, Dekalb and Cobb, I didn’t think twice about living anywhere than good old Corn Cobb County.
Tom
September 3rd, 2009
2:11 pm
OMG…….the day has arrived when I actually AGREE (mostly) with Bookman!!!! “Elizabeth….it’s the big one! Here I come!!!”
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
September 3rd, 2009
2:36 pm
Bring back Milton County!!! They’re both so different in so many ways that it makes sense to be two completely different counties. If the South Fulton area can’t make it on it’s own then maybe Dekalb can annex them.
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
September 3rd, 2009
2:39 pm
ELECTED ONE, it’s about representation…..North Fulton currently exists as taxation WITHOUT representation. Isn’t that what started the original tea parties in our countries history?
Call it like it is.
September 3rd, 2009
2:39 pm
Its got nothing to do with taxes. White folks want to be with white folks, black folks want to be with black folks. You can preach all you want about everybody getting along, but at the end, races wish to be with their own kind and thats not going to change. Grew up in East Point, Union City, Moved to Riverdale, now live in Cobb County. Would I go back to either of those cities? Hell no. They are cess pools now.
Is it the white mans fault? Don’t see how. Blacks claimed to be just as smart and just as capable, and I wouldnt dispute that. My question is why every single town that becomes controled by blacks becomes riddle with crime and abuse. You want your own city you got it. Atlanta. You made it clear you only want to support black candiates, You have you own colleges, your own beauty pagent, your own kkk which is the naacp, now you can have your own county to run as you wish, which would be Fulton. Whats the problem?
oldmac
September 3rd, 2009
2:43 pm
Break it two, name the South part Peoples Republic of Obama or whatever. It would be kind of like naming the streets after MLK. First thing I told my kid when he was learning to drive was “never go anywhere near a street named MLK.” Always crime ridden. Obama County-same thing.
n
Call it like it is.
September 3rd, 2009
2:47 pm
I am a racist. Thanks AJC for giving me a forum.
factually based
September 3rd, 2009
3:03 pm
So, Lynne Riley cannot represent her individual constituents’ wishes, but Nancy Boxill and Emma Darnell can (and have blatantly done so) at the overall expense/detriment of the County? Hypocrisy arisen to a new level, but typical of Darnell and Boxill. They played their game for years, now someone else is doing it w/ their rules and they cry “foul”. Why did Sandy Springs get incorporated? For just these reasons–Boxill and Darnell got more then fair share of county resources diverted away at the expense of Sandy Springs–that certainly was not good for the County as a whole. So now look at them–disgusting, reap what you sowed…
Poor Bill Edwards just got stuck in the middle of their machinations and south Fulton is now paying the price for the incorporations in n. Fulton–wouldn’t have happened if EVERYONE had been looking out for the interests of the ENTIRE county all along, but no–Darnell and Boxill were too greedy for too long. Sorry girls, need to go home and pout some more…
Cutty
September 3rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Alex, your’re a nitwit. Fulton County schools are found in both parts of the county, and the funds distributed to those schools are about the same. And wasn’t there an episode where swastikas were being painted on houses in N. Fulton. You all seem to have more bank closing up there in N. Fulton as well. White collar crime is the same as blue collar. Tuck your klan robe in, its showing.
Alex
September 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Little Cutty, don’t be angry or call me names because I spoke the TRUTH! North Fulton has BETTER schools, fact. North Fulton has far less crime, FACT. Ever watch the news or can you not afford a TV?
Terry
September 3rd, 2009
3:11 pm
Milton was a County from 1857 to 1931.
Jay
September 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
Well Alex, your point about North Fulton having “educated, white coller workers” might be more convincing had you spelled “collar” correctly.
Bill Cosby
September 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
Call it like it is – you called it like it is. How are any of the FACTS he stated racist? Facts.
Find me a single majority-black city in the United States that has a crime rate lower than average? Culture of crime, culture of blame, culture of irresponsibility.
Has nothing to do with color – has to do with culture.
Barrack Obama
September 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Speaking of schools, who in their right mind wants the government to do for healthcare what the government has done for “edukashun”. Can you imagine that?
I can’t wait for all healthcare workers to have a two-week furlough like the teachers had.
Call it like it is.
September 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
So now I am a racist because I state the truth? Whatever helps you sleep at night. But deep down you know its the truth. Blacks want blacks as their mayors and whites want whites. We have different backgrounds, different values, different beliefs. Its not going to change, ever! You need to ask yourself why Cobb County is Lilly White, and has the best bond rating in the metro area, lowest crime, best schools and so on and so on. Only major problem we have is with the city of Mableton which butts up to Fulton, and Cumberland Mall which is the last stop for Marta.
And South Fulton has?????? Well you know what you have. If this is consider the rants of a racist, as I said whatever helps you sleep at night.
scott
September 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
I do not understand with all the complaining why N. Fulton residents do not just move to Forsyth or Hall county? Several have, just pack up and move across the county line then you will live in your own county.
Is not the state law preventing the creation of another county unless a current county ceases to exist; there is a cap on the number of counties we can have. If that is the case which current county is going to cease to exist just so Milton can reform? I think this is just too much trouble over a “bunch of foolishness”.
Francis
September 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
North Fulton has far less crime, FACT.
What ever happened to all those N. Futon “thugs” who broke into over 100 cars during Thanksgiving break? I bet they never spent any jail time, I missed that AJC report.
Outsider
September 3rd, 2009
3:41 pm
Damn you people are idiots!! I see why the south is the laughing stock of America!!